Sept. 6, 2009

Box Score

Coral Gables, Fla. - The Catamount women's soccer team battled to a draw with No. 23 Dayton on Sunday afternoon in day two of the Hurricane Cup.

Goalkeeper Caitlin Williams recorded a career-high 14 saves in the thrilling contest, earning MVP honors for her outstanding play. Williams earned the MVP of the Hurricane Cup after stopping 17 saves against two nationally-ranked programs in the Top Drawer Collegiate Tournament poll. Shanna Schmoker also earned All-tournament accolades after collecting four shots this weekend.

"Caitlin Williams continues to get better," said WCU coach Tammy DeCesare. "She is becoming the cornerstone of our defense. She raised her level of play again today."

WCU wrapped up a very productive weekend after giving up only one goal this weekend against No. 22 Miami and keeping No. 23 Dayton scoreless .

Coming in to the weekend, Dayton had scored six goals in their first three contests. The Catamounts are now 2-2-1, while the Flyers, who were ranked No. 1 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Mid-Atlantic Regional poll, is 2-0-3.

"It was first time we had to play to back to back top-25 teams," said DeCesare. "The girl's responded really well to the challenge. They show that they can play against this level and they can do it consistently."

The Flyers' best offensive chance in regulation came at the 84-minute mark with a header Kelsey Miller was blocked away.

WCU's offense came firing away in the first extra period when Schmoker flung a shot high above the net. Dayton was unable to record a shot in the first overtime period.

Coach Decesare says she was impressed with Schmoker's defensive play this weekend, "Shanna is such a great ball winner and brings so much to the team in terms of defensive shape and tackles. She has the hard-nosed grit that you look for. She had a tremendous game against Miami and another sound performance today against Dayton."

Williams preserved the draw with three consecutive saves in the final overtime period, before a crucial final save at the buzzer ended the contest. The 14 saves by Williams broke a previous career-best of eight, which was set against Clemson in 2007. In five contests this season, Williams holds a stellar 0.77 goals against average.

Senior's Nikki Collins and Bri Cunningham recorded the Catamount's two shots on goal. Cunningham, a forward from Tryon, N.C., fired a shot in the first half that was gloved by Dayton goalkeeper Katherine Boone. Collins then began the WCU attack early in the second half with a shot that again was saved by Boone.

Western Carolina concludes their stringent four-game road trip with a visit to SEC foe Tennessee next Sunday, Sept. 13.

"We have improved every single game in terms of playing and learning what it takes to be at this level," said DeCesare. "We hope we can pull everything we have learned over the last two weeks and put it together for an outstanding performance next Sunday."